Theatre and Culture from Scotland, starring The List's Theatre Editor, his performance persona and occasional guest stars. Experimental writings, cod-academic critiques and all his opinions, stolen or original.

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

The Sinister Tales of Doctor Synistra

Improv with a dark Twist

As you enter the theatre you will be welcomed by the cast who will show you to your seats and make sure you are sitting comfortably, before summoning Doctor Synistra:

Whoever wears the hat tells the tale.

Whoever wears the hat is Doctor Synistra.

The possessive host of the show will then force members of the cast to tell improvised horror stories based on suggestions from the audience. Be prepared for laughs and scares!

Where did the idea come from?

“The idea of Doctor Synistra came from a love of the hosted classic horror films and TV programs (Tales of the Unexpected, Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible, Tales From the Crypt and, even Elvira – Mistress of the Dark) and the curiosity of using a such a character to direct the improvisers on stage. It has been a lot of fun to develop the show, and, because it is improvisation, to continuously learn from it.”

Who is Doctor Synistra? “This is a character who loves horror stories. He sets the rules for the stories and improv games and does so with horrific glee. The most important factor is that the improviser playing Doctor Synistra plays the character their way. This gives us a variety of Synistras.”

What can happen in a show?

“Strangely anything can happen. Our maddest show (and bloodiest) came from the audience suggestion of ‘Rubber Duck’. That show featured scenes of a crew inside a toy submarine who blew up their owners.”

“…and I love it when a story has a twist to it. There is something really satisfying about that.”

Absurd opinions, extended reviews, random press releases from The Arts, half baked ideas, unsuccessful experiments with the format of criticism. Brought to you by the host of The Vile Arts Radio Hour and former Theatre Editor of The Skinny, now working with The List